USDA grants non-regulated status to GE sugar beets

USDA on July 19 deregulated Monsanto Co.’s genetically engineered (GE) sugar beets, thus allowing farmers and distributors to sell and plant the crop without regulatory oversight. The sugar beet, sold under Monsanto’s Roundup Ready brand, is genetically engineered to be resistant to the herbicide glyphosate. In February 2011, USDA had partially deregulated the GE sugar beet on an interim basis. USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service issued a fact sheet on the determination of non-regulated status for the crop.